Joan "Jen" Gauthier

Born in Milwaukee, WI on May 24, 1913

Died on Sep 09, 2017 and resided in Oconto Falls, WI

(Janina) Joan “Jen” Gauthier, 104, OcontoFalls, went to be with her Lord and Savior Saturday morning, September 9, 2017.The 6th oldest of 10 children and twin sister of Lottie, was born May 24, 1913 to John and Anna (Mioduszewski) Pawlak in Milwaukee.Because her family called her “Nina” as a little girl, a neighbor asked why not just call her Jen since the age of 4 years.Jen grew up in Milwaukee where she attended St. Josaphat’s BasilicaSchool until the 8th grade when she had to help at home to care for the rest of the family so her Mother could work out of the house.As a young woman, she moved with family members to “Swedetown” in OcontoCounty so they could get out of the big city and live near family and friends.

On October 26, 1935 she married Leo Martin Gauthier in Michigan and the couple owned and operated the Gauthier family farm for many years.Because Leo was also in the cattle business, Jen ran the farm, raising their 11 children and looking after and feeding them and all the hired hands.They had 15 acres of pickles and beans so many OcontoFalls youth would come during harvest time to pick, Jen would help organize it all and pay the workers.She also once worked at the Oconto Falls Canning Co. for three years.As a lady of strong Catholic faith, she was a longtime member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in OcontoFalls and belonged to their Altar Rosary Society (now PCCW) where she once served as secretary/treasurer.Jen also helped with church rummage sales, volunteered at the local senior center and was an original member of the Golden Agers card club.During the Vietnam War, all four of her sons served in the military at the same time and she prayed for their safety everyday and all 4 returned home.At onetime, Jen also served as the Health Officer for the Town of Stiles, a 4-H Leader and as Chaplin of the WWI Auxiliary.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Leo M. Gauthier in 1986, one daughter Mary Walske in 1982, five brothers, Anthony, Stanley, August, Edmund and John Pawlak, four sisters, Sister Mary Therese, Bernice Schuessler, Eva Pawlak and twin sister Lottie Wusterbarth in 1994, three infant grandchildren and one grandson, Joseph Block.

Visitation will be held 4-8pmFriday, September 15, 2017 at Jones Funeral Service in OcontoFalls with a prayer service at 7pm Friday.Visitation will continue after 11amSaturday, September 16, 2017 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in OcontoFalls until the time of service.Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1:30pm Saturday at church with the Rev. Fr. Joel Sember officiating.Burial will follow in the church cemetery.